"HONG KONG - China's foreign ministry on Friday rejected comments by U.S. President Joe Biden that the closure of Hong Kong's Apple Daily newspaper signaled intensifying repression by Beijing in the semi-autonomous city. ...

Biden said on Thursday that Apple Daily's demise was a "sad day for media freedom". Other foreign officials also expressed concern that it represented a further stifling of freedoms in Hong Kong, a trade gateway and international financial center.

Apple Daily had been a thorn in Beijing's side, mixing pro-democracy discourse with celebrity gossip and investigations of those in power. It was forced to end a 26-year run after authorities froze the company's funds."

Sharon Abratique and Anne Marie Roantree report for Reuters June 25, 2021. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Biden Demands Beijing End Crackdown on Hong Kong Journalists" (Bloomberg) [3]

"Biden Calls Closure of Hong Kong Newspaper a ‘Sad Day’" (VOA) [4]

"Statement by President Joe Biden on Hong Kong’s Apple Daily" (White House) [5]

"Senators Call On Biden To Impose Sanctions Over Hong Kong Paper Closure" (Reuters) [6]

"‘Repression by Beijing’ Killed Hong Kong’S Apple Daily, Joe Biden Says" (South China Morning Post) [7]